New solar ordinance approved in Madison County
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The Madison County Board of Commissioners this week approved a new ordinance regarding the development of solar facilities.
Our partners at The Herald Bulletin report the new ordinance replaces a previous one adopted in 2017 and ends a moratorium on new solar energy facilities that was put in place in 2021.
The new ordinance limits where a large scale solar facility can be located and requires that such facilities be set back between 400 and 450 feet from adjacent property owners that are not participating in the project.
A large facility can range from 76 to 400 acres, while a medium sized facility can range from six to 75 acres. There must also be a three-mile neutral zone between solar developments, according to the publication.
Additionally, the ordinance states that solar energy facilities can utilize no more than 10% of prime farmland in the project area.